Global Living with an Australian Twist

Sanders & King | Terrace House Renovation

A terrace house positioned just 2 blocks away from the Melbourne bayside waters of St Kilda West was given the kiss of life and granted room to breathe after interior designers, Taimi Sanders and Elissa King of Sanders & King, took on the task of bringing the grand old dame into the modern day era.

Armed with a brief to reconfigure the back living area and kitchen as well as opening up what was once a dark poky formal dining room, Sanders & King effectively created more space, better spatial flow and extra light to flood the newly designed interior. Gutting the back section of the house allowed for the kitchen to extend out to the boundary, with a south facing glazed ceiling allowing natural light to flood the once dark space. Oversized wall openings were created to allow for a a better flow between rooms, with space arguably one of the most important objectives for the owners and their three pre-teen daughters who live here.

As with most renovations, the design brief grew mid construction to include the addition of a rear back bedroom, creating a 4 bedroom home, a new family bathroom for the girls to share and the conversion of an enclosed verandah off the master bedroom upstairs into an ensuite and office area.

With the original plans having almost doubled in size, budget constraints were a consideration in the overall design, so Sanders & King set about choosing materials to 'get the look' without the price tag to match. A mixture of Laminate cupboards, stone bench tops and 2 PAC paint was specified to extend the dollar while maintaining the design aesthetic. With the kitchen centered in the heart of the living areas, this family of avid entertainers and convivial hosts enjoy throwing a party and remaining centered in the action whether in the kitchen, at the dining table or out the back on the BBQ.

Black aluminuim framed sliding doors and windows were used to open up the back of the house and connect it to the garden, with the steel look repeated in the use of a metal on the kitchen island bench effectively framing the pink splash of colour insisted upon by the home owners, though eventually embraced by all.
Warm timber panelling on the walls soften the living room space while a soft grey paint palette in the entrance hall connects the downstairs living areas to the first floor leading off the stairs. Stepping through the front door, the love for this home is palpable and its instantly clear that this former faded terrace has not just received a face lift, but a new heart to boot.

Working with the client to create a look that is both reflective of their personality and the way in which they live is what these two designers do best. Create homes for families. With style.